Late qualifier in race finally drawn (4,4)
I believe the answer is:
dead heat
'race finally drawn' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'late qualifier' is the wordplay.
'late' becomes 'dead' (similar in meaning).
'qualifier' becomes 'heat' (a heat is a qualifying round).
'dead'+'heat'='DEAD-HEAT'
'in' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dead heat that I've seen before include "Produce tie" , "Equality in finish of race" , "two are inseparable here" , "Tie for first place in race" , "'An exact tie in a race (4,4)'" .)